The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-01-29


Mr.. Nattinger, of the Ottawa T"'cs' usu
ally very correct IN his statements anu an
editor well versed in a knowledge OF the
polilician. of Illinois, fell into the error of
announcing the nomination by the repubh'
can senatorial caucus Of " John V. FarwelP
60 the position of United States Senator, in
stead of Charles b. Farwell, brother OF
John V. The .wo men are very much I'M
like. They hold but three things in common,
viz: wealth, dry goods and repuhlicanism
John V. is very devoted to Sunday school
Interests and The Young Mems Christian
Associations of the State while Charles Is.
is quite as we'll known as an expert poker
PLAYER. When u member of congress he had
quite as extended reputation as u successful
manipula,or Of cards as did schenck, OF
Ohio, when minister at the court of st.
James. II is not related Of him that he is
inclined to be devout, and he probably il
not, for religion and poker playing are two
things that lily go together.
Speaking Of poker playing calls to mind
that the most expert poker player now in
congress is Senator Thomas NJ. Bowen, of
Colorado. who plays oftener and is reputed
10 win more than any member of either
house. He has all the essential qualities OF
. strictly good player. His face, when his
hand is full Of cards, is an utter blank, and
from the expression on it. il is absolutely
impossible TO tell whether he has "four aces
or 50 pair of deuces.' lie is nervy-bets
With vim, and seldom fails TO rake in the
contents of "jack pot" unless he will
iingly loses. Some of his friends maintain
that no never allows o man to 20 from his
room loser, and that after winning from
his opponents. Intentionally loses back to
tlem the amount of his gins More than
&his, he always furnishes his guests with the
Ga EST liquors and best brand of cigars. II
will be very interesting encounter when
Senator Bowen meets Senator Farwell
upon the green. 1t will not be "Greek
meeting Greek" but the "1ug of war in
opening Jack pot will &c quite As terrific
as the tabled engagements between the an
cient worthless who each year met in the
Olympian games.
Returning now to Mr. Fsrwells election.
the question arises why should he be gent TO
che United States senate TO represent the
people Of this great ststeY la no sense Is he
q great man. lie is not man who has ever
contributed anything to the people fund Of
political knowledge. 1t is not recorded that
in congress (for he served two terms) he
ever performed any act that indicated him
10 be possessed of the talents of a statesman,
He drew his salary-he played poker-he
voted always with his party. II is true no
question has ever been raised ~ to his tealty
TO the republican party, but the republican
party is hard pressed when it must confess
Mr. Farwell to be its most distinguished rep.
resenlative north Of the Springfield line,
The confession is not u creditable one, and
when carefully thought over must bring to
lhe minds of the sincere anc honest mem.
beers Of that party n sense of shame and re
representatives at Springfield to tell just
why they selected Mr. Farwell, unless they
frankly admit that it was because he is a
rich man-one willing to contribute literally
to future campaigns in this state. Such an
explanation may Justify their course with
che strict party men Of their party. but
with those upon whom the obligations Of
party rest lightly it scarce will answer the
question, why did you select him''
In marked contrast to the selection male
by the republican representatives at Spring
field was the one made by the democrats. VIM.
X. Morrison is not rich man, but he is q
representative of his party. His whole
course in and out Of congress has been that
Of man having at heart the peoples good.
II the ideas advocated by him have not As
yet been fully adopted by the political
party to which he belongs AMI by the public.
the loss is theirs, not his. Some day, and
chat day is not far distant, thorough re.
form in the tariff will be brought about, and
chen Mr.. Morrison will see the complete fru.
L. ~ his lahors The can.e has nrnxn